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Monday, April 08, 2013

Bresil at Bon Marche

I am sooo saudage do Bresil if someone handed me a ticket today I would be off and away immediatement! I mean it...

I thought maybe this gorgeous scarf was part of the upcoming Bresil promotion but vendeuse L. said, non, not till Wednesday. I would have bought it (55€) but I didn't have my credit cards on me. More about that later.

L. Could easily pass as a Braziliera IMHO. L. said she was wearing L'Oreal eyeliner (which she says...shhh also makes YSL). Natch I ran off to Monoprix and bought it (see above) but so far I'm not looking gorge like L.

If you want to catch what Parisians are wearing walk next door to Le Grand Epicerie. Show up late on a Saturday when every chic chick does her shopping for some insane reason - the lines at the cash register are truly daunting. This is perhaps the chicest Parisian I've seen ever. This subtle jacket with the ruffled peplum is incroyable in my books. Non?

I'm speechless with admiration...

It's still chilly here and the BIG scarf is still in.

Another well dressed Parisian

Les mecs/guys are wearing terrif scarves too by the way

These two Bon Marche trainees had matching tuxedo stripes down the sides of their tights. Mignon non?

Leopard accessories will Always be IN in Paris and they don't have to match.

*Speaking of essential accessories here's the latest scam you should know about. Rick got 'skimmed' I think it's called. Someone on the street or anywhere can scan you with a phone-like gizmo completely without your knowing it. And boom, -$13,000 short 2 weeks later when the bank calls, you find out ALL of your info was taken. PIN numbers and everything. It helps if your credit cards are stacked on top of each other. Then the reading is a mashup. But for safety sake get a little metal box for your cards or use tin foil on cardboard like Rick did front and back.

Flight attendant D. got her metal box in Tokyo for 100 yen/$1.04. I looked and so far they're 25 euros and come from Spalding's in NYC. Amazon has one for $5 bucks. I'm not carrying my credit cards till I get one. Be sure and get yours before you travel. Better safe than sorry. Muji carries them too.

27 comments:

You ought to write a little handbook for your USA compatriates.... titled 'How to see Paris, without being skimmed' you'd be rich. Love this post, how could you have said 'non' ! you will never forgive yourself ! Enjoy your 'jour de Bresil at Bon-Marche'

Love the frill at the base of the jacket and the one you painted..I just bought a new pot of Oreal Eyeliner..Like..and Sephora crayon:)We read about that tinfoil trick in November I was diligent for one day..I don't see how through a thick wallet inside the grooves they can get the #s..?

Bonjour Carol. You have turned into a major spy! :-) Now, did you go on that stealth operation armed with your iPad or le compact camera? It definitely pays off not to carry those big DSLR cameras around, doesn't it? I smiled when you mentioned rushing to Monop to get the l'Oreal eyeliner. I used to do the same, but somehow, never ended up looking like the gorgeous salesgirls at les grands magasins. C'est la vie! Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

Tea at Laduree in Versailles is a nonevent. Just a corner. It's at the very end so yr exhausted by the time you get there and will mostly want to shop for souvenirs.That's just my opinion...maybe they've changed it.

3 favorite things about Brazil? Impossible to limit what I loved in BrazilThe beachEating on the beach!The musicThe casual clothesThe jetinho (sp)The people and their WARMTH! Everybody hugs.The fruit smoothies on the corner long before anyone had them!!Churrascaria and I don't eat meatCARNAVAL!Oh everything...

I heard on the news that it's not safe there, that American tourists are being attacked. Sorry to be a wet blanket.Also, I have a friend who found a wonderful card case at Bed, Bath and Beyond, it holds more than those flat metal cases. She traveled to Paris with it.

I purchased a few of the metal boxes over the years (I use them to carry business cards) in different thickness size from Muji in Paris...should also have then at the NYC stores, for much, much less than 25euro...I read your blog always. Thank you, Mark

I love the Bon MArche and the Grand Epicerie is my FAVORITE place to shop. Although it is a little expensive it is a beautiful place and filled with the most fabulous foodie treasures. I think i prefer it over Galleries Lafayette.

I hope you have a great week! Thanks for sharing all of your adventures.

I am speechless: skimming means they also get your pin numbers? How does that work? Would a silver business card holder work? I'll wrap my cards in some heavy alu foil immediately. Merci for the info, invaluable!(Good thing that in Vienna you don't have to swipe your yearly pass. It is not even a problem when you forget it at home.

I really loved your post, your sketch especially, and that first scarf is marvelous!

Carollll!! Thanks for the Advice ... but if u go to www.vistaprint.fr to do some visit cards (free or 10euros for 500!!!) u have a metal box like your friend's box for free !!! Im so happy cause I win one and now i can use to avoid someone stole my pin card =) THANKS SO MUCH!!! u have always a great tip =) bisous jessica

Beautiful drawings and pictures,Carol!That scarf is a knockout! (especially love how it's tied!)(my downfall)(sigh)Wonderful information!There is a shoulder bag (purse sized) here (US)named PacSafe that is made for the prevention of skimming credit cards.Mine was a gift but I believe it costs around $80

This week I read about 'skimmed' mayby I have a solution for you.http://www.secrid.nl/It's a little metal case, it can hold 6 cards and they pop out.I have it and it's really handy. And I think it's protective too.But where to buy in Paris, you have to look it up. I got it for Christmas.http://www.secrid.nl/stores/france/paris/335/A lot of stores!Groetjes,Stephanie

Carol, not only do you show us how to wear our scarves so stylishly (if only I could), but also protect us from wireless credit card theft! I never knew such a thing existed. I did know that leopard uggs existed, but have never thought them stylish, and have never associated them with Paris either actually.

PARIS in yr Mailbox!

♥carol gillott♥

l'Ile Saint Louis, Paris, Ile de France, France

Hi I'm Carol Gillott,
My Mom taught me watercolors at 5 and I'm still at it. Now I live by the Seine on l'Ile Saint-Louis. Do consider subscribing to my Paris letters and maps on Etsy and enjoy a taste of Paris in your mailbox every month to savor with a hot chocolate and croissant. I paint Paris dreams.